Healthiest Foods: Broccoli and Avocado

As a member of the healthful cruciferous family, broccoli boasts a number of minerals and antioxidants. "All the cruciferous vegetables in general, like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage—that whole family—are excellent for you," says Rebecca Berman, a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist at Palm Beach Dietetics.

Benefits

Sulforaphane: Many studies indicate that this compound has anti-cancer benefits.

Folate: A form of vitamin B, folate helps make red blood cells, synthesize and repair DNA and prevent anemia.

Eat it Because

The phytonutrients in broccoli have anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for detox diets. "A lot of people don't realize that inflammation is actually the cause of a lot of conditions," Berman says. "A lot of diseases start with having inflammation in your body."

Marry two super foods, broccoli and avocado, with this recipe. Photo by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Ingredients

1 cup chopped broccoli

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 chopped onion

2 cloves minced fresh garlic

1/3 cup low-fat milk

1 1/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth

1 cup fresh spinach

1/2 avocado

1 cup croutons

4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

Method

Place a medium-sized stock pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil to the preheated pan. Add onion and garlic to the pan and sauté until translucent.

Add broccoli, vegetable broth and milk to the pan. Reduce heat and bring to a simmer. Cook ingredients until the broccoli is just crisp-tender. Add broccoli mixture to a blender with a tight-fitting lid.

Add the avocado and spinach to the blender as well. Make sure not to fill the blender more than half full at a time. Carefully pulse the ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Taste soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Return soup to pot and heat back up to serving temperature. Garnish soup with croutons and Parmesan cheese.